In Taos Pueblo, in the Taos Valley, and throughout the world there are women who live quiet unassuming lives as mothers, housewives, sisters, daughters. They manage a household, make sure children go to school and in the evening ensure supper is there for the family. Many times, we family members may take for granted tonight’s supper not realizing the planning that went into todays and the past days suppers and for suppers in the days to come. Some of these very busy women begin to extend their activities to the world outside their families, initially as the children grow up through headstart and into high school. Some get jobs to contribute to the family’s economic needs. Many of these women are out there as volunteers in different community activities that do not pay a wage or salary, and some raise second families. Many of these women are not recognized for what they contribute to a community’s good or for how they may have influenced, inspired, and positively affected people’s lives by their good nature, and how they have made the community a better place to live. Their passing, however, brings out memories and words of appreciation.

Martha Ann Suazo, born and raised at Taos Pueblo, was such a woman of her community and eventually in the community beyond Taos Pueblo. Martha Ann Suazo, born and raised at Taos Pueblo, died Feb.11 at age 83. Martha graduated from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas and married Gilbert Suazo, former governor at Taos Pueblo. Martha devoted most of her early life to raising a family of a daughter and four sons, born over a span of nine years. Martha worked as a waitress and seamstress in their early marital life, then devoted her time to raising a family of a daughter Reva, and sons, Gilbert Jr., Daniel Victor, Terrence Lee, and Alfred Antone, born over a span of nine years. Martha went through the years of cultural aspects of Taos Pueblo life with her family, a way of life where the woman has a crucial support role. Eventually Martha found herself with energy and time to commit to her other interests. (while still managing her family’s home needs) Her spiritual interest in Our Lord’s teachings was dominant and she immersed herself into being a Catechist—a teacher of the teachings of Jesus Christ to prepare young children for their First Holy Communion. Along with fellow catechists, Rose Cordova and Lorraine Martinez, Martha taught catechism to many students at the Taos Day School over the years. Martha eventually expanded her teaching interests by being a teacher’s aide in the Taos Municipal school system. Her strict but friendly manner enabled her to have good rapport with her students.

As Martha’s spiritual interest grew she joined the Guadalupanas, a Catholic Women’s group who participated in annual religious pilgrimages to Santuario de Chimayo on Mother’s Day and later in the annual 100-mile pilgrimages for vocations to Chimayo. Martha immersed herself in this pilgrimage that was dedicated to inspiring interests in vocations, entering the Priesthood, Deaconship, or women’s religious life as a nun or similar service. Over the years many have been inspired by the prayers and sacrifices made through the pilgrimages, and are now serving as priests, deacons, nuns, or are in preparation to serve. Every spring Martha’s regular activity was to prepare for and participate in the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage routes have been from each geographical direction, North, South, East and West, converging on the Santuario Shrine at Chimayo where the week long pilgrimage was concluded with a celebratory Mass. Martha was one of the elites who, over the years, made their Cross across New Mexico having walked the one hundred miles from each direction to Chimayo. In her later years, Martha served as a trucker, transporting participants’ suitcases, sleeping bags and other paraphernalia from one overnight stop to another. Martha said lugging all these hundreds of items was harder work than walking the one hundred miles! Other spiritual related activities Martha participated in were the Good Friday pilgrimage to the Talpa Morada, reciting the Holy Rosary when requested, and circulating the Holy Family Shrine among Taos Pueblo Families. In 1987 Martha was chosen as a delegate with other Native Americans to welcome Pope John Paul II when the Pope visited Phoenix, Arizona.

At Martha’s funeral there were many who came to pay respects to Martha who had inspired them through her teachings as a catechist, teacher’s aide, as a Guadalupana, as a Peregrino, and sharing her knowledge about women’s aspect of our Taos Pueblo culture. Martha’s husband Gilbert said the number of people that showed up for her services and offered their remembrances showed how many people whose lives she touched and inspired with her goodness, friendliness, and her quiet efforts in the community. Over the years Martha hosted many friends and visitors during feast days. Indeed, Martha’s red chili was the best! Martha’s friendly “Good Morning everybody!” greeting as she entered the St. Jerome Church on Sunday mornings will be remembered!

Martha’s parents were Mariano Mirabal and Rufina Lujan Mirabal; her paternal grandparents were Antonio and Vivian Mirabal, and her maternal grandparents were Ben “Couse” and Antonita Lujan. Martha is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gilbert Suazo Sr, daughter Reva Ann Suazo, Sons, Gilbert Jr., Daniel Victor, Terrence Lee, Alfred Antone, daughter-in-law Valerie Suazo, former daughter-in-law Holly Summerberries, Grandchildren, Julian Kurtis, Tiana Allyssa, Sonia Marie, Alfred Antone, Aspen Quinn, Allen Thomas, Aidan Gregory, Eli, Great Grandchildren Holly Mariah, Henry, Warren, Sean, Alliana, grandson William Wasise with Totus Aiy and great grandchildren Mason Oakley and Temisa of White Swan, Washington, and Step grandchildren in Choctaw, Mississippi, Christopher, Joey, and William; Siblings, Reycita Suazo, and Family, Denver Colorado, Lucy Archuleta and Family, Antonia Sandy and family, Betty J. Naseyouma and family, niece Joyce Naseyouma and family, nephew Michael Mirabal, niece Cheryl Sandy, and numerous Lujan and Mirabal family members, brother-in-law Richard AspenWind, son Ryan and family, brother-in-law Fidel Suazo and family, niece Karen Jean Suazo. Martha was preceded in death by grandson Gilbert Ramone Suazo, infant son of Gilbert Jr. and, daughter-in-law Margaret Rose Suazo, who also preceded Martha in death; Also, preceding Martha in death were brothers-in-Law David Suazo, Albert Archuleta, and Manual Sandy and niece Deanna Autumn Leaf Suazo.

The family acknowledges other deceased members of the Taos Pueblo Guadalupanas who Martha worked with over the years for the increase of faith and spirituality in the Taos Pueblo community, Lorraine C. Martinez, Santanita Lefthand, Pascualita Mondragon, Carmelita Romero, and Catechist Rose Cordova.

The family appreciates the kind words of condolences and cards received from many people, and the donations of money and food, and being there to help. Thank you to the Taos Pueblo Governor’s Office, the St Jerome Fiscales, the Tribal Sheriffs, Father Peter, Deacons Jerry and Claren for their help and support. A special word of appreciation to the Dialysis Center Inc. for their kindness and patience in providing dialysis services for Martha over many years. We also thank the Taos Healthcare Facility for their care of Martha during her stay at the Facility. Others we want to thank are Taos Mountain Home Health and hospice service, Rivera Funeral Home, and Holy Cross Hospital. We especially thank Taos Pueblo Health and Community Services, especially the transport drivers who provided transportation services for Martha. May God Bless all!